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SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was sensational Sunday, throwing for more than 400 yards in his NFL debut. John Madden told the KCBS morning crew that Newton’s performance was “very, very impressive” for a rookie.

“If a quarterback is young in the NFL, he’s going to have a difficult time being consistent,” Madden said. “But if he really has it, he’s going to show it once in awhile… He’s not going to do it consistently…. but he (Newton) proved that he can do it, and now it’s going to take him three years to do it consistently.”

Like the San Francisco Giants in baseball, the San Jose Earthquakes’ chances of making the major league soccer playoffs are dwindling. Earthquakes star Chris Wondolowski told John Madden and the KCBS morning crew that regardless of the standings, he and his teammates are always motivated to play well.

“We always love competition,” Wondolowski said. “You always believe you can win, and always want to go out and compete and play your best,” he said.

Madden agreed. “I’ve never met any great athlete that can turn it on and off… There’s a game and there’s only one way to play it.” (8:35)

(Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM.)

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